Resellers raided over 'fake Cisco kit'

'Noodle products'

Police have still released no details about computer firms they raided earlier this month netting equipment worth £500,000.

The raids targeted a computer firm near Rochdale which was visited by police, trading standards and representatives of several international companies. Companies in Reading, Flintshire and Manchester were also raided.

The Rochdale raid saw computer components worth £100,000 confiscated but the police and trading standards are still not naming the firm concerned. Initial reports suggested illegally copied software was the target of the raid, but it now appears it was counterfeit hardware.

Andy Glover, chief trading standards officer for Rochdale, said: "There is an investigation taking place, we're looking at products to confirm they are counterfeit. These things take some time and we are liasing with people from several companies. The process could take months rather than weeks." Glover said the length of time was in no way unusual. The company concerned has not been named on legal advice that to do so may predjudice a future trial.

Glover said: "I can't tell you who it is, but I can tell you who it isn't. We've had enquiries about Microtec 99 and I can tell you they are not involved."

A channel source told The Register the raid was not to do with grey importing, but fake Cisco kit. He said :"It's what we call 'noodle products' - counterfeits from China. Cisco is getting very hot on this at the moment."

Cisco told The Reg: "As a matter of policy we cannot comment on ongoing specific investigation."

More from the Heywood Advertiser on the original raids right here, and thanks, as ever, to the Reg reader who tipped us off. ®